Frequently
asked

All IPSC member schools. The competition is open to students of Classes 9 to 12.

A maximum of 8 students, accompanied by 1 faculty advisor. One student may participate in a maximum of 3 events.

On 25 October 2026. By that date schools must forward an event-wise list of participants.

Through the Google Form circulated with the Headmaster’s invitation letter. It asks for school details and event-wise participant information.

Registration charges and boarding and lodging expenses are applicable as per the provisions of the IPSC Charter. We will release detailed figures to registered schools soon.

No. Teams design, build and bring their own robots. Robots may not be built from scratch on campus on the day of the event. Tuning, debugging and repair on site are expected and permitted.

Laptops for every participant. Robotics teams must also bring their own tools, spares and consumables. The Hackathon is conducted on participants’ own machines.

Batteries must comply with the limits stated in each event’s robot specification, which will be published with the complete documentation soon. Damaged or swollen cells will not be permitted on campus.

Full documentation for each event, including detailed judging rubrics, will be released to all registered schools soon. The brochure and this website give an overview; that documentation gives the complete rules.

By 5:00 p.m. on 7 December 2026. Teams may alternatively arrive on the morning of 8 December 2026.

After the Closing Ceremony on 10 December 2026, which is expected to conclude by 2:00 p.m.

Yes. The host school provides accommodation and meals for all participating teams and their accompanying faculty advisor.

No. Schools make their own travel arrangements to and from The Doon School, Dehradun.

Yes. All participants must carry school identity cards. Those without proper identification will not be permitted to compete.

Internet access is provided where an event requires it and withheld where it does not, as stated in that event’s rulebook. Mobile phones may not be used during any competition round.

It depends on the event, and each rulebook states its position. In the Hackathon, AI tools are permitted, but each Company must declare which tools it used and for what, and every member must be able to explain the AI-assisted work. The Algorithm Challenge permits no AI tools at all. In The Black Box, only the no-code interface of The Black Box AI Deployed Model is allowed; AI assistants such as ChatGPT, Claude or Gemini are prohibited.

Destructive mechanisms, across every robotics event and not only Brinkmanship. No robot may be capable of damaging an opponent, the arena or its components. In Brinkmanship specifically: no blades, flame, liquids or projectiles, and no artificial downforce such as vacuum suction or sticky tyres.

Judges assess all performances. Where a referee or quizmaster officiates, their decision is final. Any unfair practice results in immediate disqualification.